A Games Odyssey - The Journey from 2000 (FIFA 2001 (PS))

Member Name: carltonp

Product:	FIFA 2001 (PS)
Date:	13/12/00 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: More up to date, obviously, slightly more realistic, graphics a bit better, goalkeepers improved

Disadvantages: Free kicks changed needlessly, tackling bias skewed too much towards defenders, no classic teams

Having devoted the whole of my Lent term to the mastery of Fifa 2000, and having reaped the glory for months afterwards, it was with great excitement that I ordered my friend to go to town and buy EA's latest excitng installment of the game that will refuse to die. Shaking hands grasped the disk as we loaded it into my PlayStation. First impression? Truly awful sound effects. Not to worry, it's the game that matters. So how was the game? Well, it wasn't great, but then 2000 had various teething troubles, and that became a classic. So what if it's not an instant hit. In time, I'm sure it will grow on us.

Well, it's been three weeks now, and although a lot of the initial problems have ironed themselves out as we have got used to the new dynamics, I remain to be convinced. This is a good game, but so was 2000. Is this any better? To start with, let's have a look at what you actually get for your £30-40/£5 from some bloke your mate knows. The controls are the same, which was a relief to me, as the transition from '99 to 2000 had been a painful and difficult one. The goalkeepers are better, meaning you can't use all the old tricks to score. The default camera is towercam, which is irritating if you're used to telecam and your memory card is full (so you can't save the new options and have to set them each time you play). They still have the old problem of right-footed players taking penalties with their left foot etc, but these are minor details.

So, I hear you ask, how does it play? Comparing, as always, with the familiar Fifa 2000, I would have to say differently. Very differently. It is difficult to play attractive football. For some reason, conservative tackle is much more effective in your own final third than in the opponents. This has the predictable result that most of the play is clogged up in the middle third. I guess they wanted to stop players punting the ball forward and tackl
ing the opponent's last man, but it does lead to lower scoring games. I suppose it depends on how much realism you want. It is a little more realistic than 2000, but I'm not sure it'll be more fun. And let's face it, you'll never get true realism from a simulation.

Another major hassle is that the y-axis is no longer inverted (meaning that when you press down the arrow now moves down, rather than up as it did in the last game - a pain if your used to things working the other way round), making free-kicks, corners and goal kicks difficult. Again, it's something to get used to, but I can't see why they did that. EA have addressed some of the problems that afflicted 2000 (I won't go into them as there's not enough space), but in doing so have created some new ones.

Buy this game if you've got all the others and want to complete the collection, or indeed if you have never bought a Fifa game - might as well start with the most recent. If, however, you only play the occasional game of 2000, then you should think carefully. This game won't change your life like 2000 did.

Summary: